Hottest Place in India: Jharsuguda Records Scorching 46.2°C
On April 23, 2025, Jharsuguda in western Odisha became the hottest place in India, with a record temperature of 46.2°C. This marks an all-time high for the industrial town, surpassing its previous record of 46.1°C set on April 19, 2010.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed this temperature, making it the highest recorded in India that day.
- This extreme heat significantly impacted local life, triggering the activation of emergency measures.
Widespread Heatwave Across Odisha
In addition to Jharsuguda, several locations in Odisha recorded high temperatures above 40°C. The IMD issued heat wave warnings for several districts, including:
- Hirakud: Recorded 44.7°C.
- Sambalpur, Boudh, Titlagarh, and several other towns experienced similarly intense heat.
- The IMD closely monitored these temperatures, issuing orange and yellow alerts for affected areas.
The heatwave also extended to Maharashtra, where Chandrapur and Brahmapuri in the Vidarbha region recorded temperatures of 45.8°C and 45.2°C, respectively.
Meteorological Warnings and Alerts
Meteorologist Umashankar Dash confirmed the record-breaking heat through social media, emphasizing the severity of the situation. To manage the heat wave, the IMD issued:
- Orange alerts: For Boudh, Bolangir, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur.
- Yellow warnings: For Nuapada, Bargarh, Kalahandi, and Sonepur.
Coastal areas, including Cuttack, Puri, Bhadrak, and Ganjam, are expected to experience humid conditions.
Milder Conditions in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
Though the capital cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack had relatively milder temperatures (36.7°C and 36.8°C), humidity remained high at 78%. This created sultry and uncomfortable conditions in these areas.
- The humidity compounded the heat, making it difficult for residents to cope with the weather.
Emergency Measures and School Closures
To protect residents from the ongoing heat, the Jharsuguda district administration implemented several emergency measures, including:
- School closures: All schools, including residential institutions, will remain closed from April 23 to April 25.
- Anganwadi centres: These will also remain closed, with provisions for rations delivered to children’s homes.
The district has also put in place heat stroke wards in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and imposed restrictions on industrial work during peak afternoon hours.
Government’s Response to Heatwave
Suresh Pujari, the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, confirmed that local authorities have the discretion to implement school closures based on ground realities. Meanwhile, KV Singh Deo, the Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister, reassured citizens that there would be no power cuts during peak hours.
- The Odisha government is actively monitoring the situation as the heatwave continues.
The combination of extreme temperatures, high humidity, and emergency measures highlights the severity of the ongoing heatwave in Odisha.
